Victoria International Track Classic

The Victoria International Track Classic is Canada’s premier International Track and Field Meet. It is more than an ordinary track meet and is comprised of a series of track and field events for secondary school and other developing athletes. As well of course, the international athletic competition. The Track Classic is a two hour entertainment event featuring the world’s best track and field athletes. The event is built around a ‘spectator friendly’ program including a tight schedule of world class competition, professional announcers, athlete interviews, an active score board, spectator participation and music. The finish line is positioned in front of the main grandstand so that all the spectators can view the action from a prime vantage point.

Historical glance over the years:

2008

Priscilla Lopes-Schliep equals the meet record of 12.90 in the 100mH

Dylan Armstrong sets a meet record of 20.47m in the shot put

2006

Shi Dongpeng (China) sets a new meet record of 13:52 in the 110mH

Angela Whyte (Cdn) sets a new meet record of 12:90 in the 100mH

Barbara Petrahn (Hungary) sets a new meet record or 23:48 in the 200m

Diane Cummins (Cdn) sets another record of 1:59:73 in the 800m

Nikki McEwen (USA) sets a new record in the Pole Vault at 4:45 m

2005

Antoinette Wilks (Jamaica) sets a new meet record of 12.94 in the 100mH for women.

Adam Goucher (USA) wins the men’s 5000m in 13:21.13 to qualify for the 2005 world championships.

Hillary Edmonson (CAN) captures the women’s 1500m in 4:10.70

2004

Matt Phillips (USA) sets a new meet and stadium record in the men’s Pole Vault in 5.53m.

Gary Reed (Victoria, Canada) wins his second consecutive 800m in a time of 1:46.39.

Travis Nutter (USA) sets a new meet record in the men’s Javelin with a throw of 72.36m.

Diane Cummins (Victoria, Canada) moves up to the 1500m and wins in a time of 4:10.52.

2003

Laban Rotich (Kenya) races to a new meet record in mile with a time of 3:54.07, outpacing Victoria’s Graham Hood on the last lap. Five athletes run a Miracle Mile.

Albert Chepkirui (Kenya) cruises to a meet record in the 5,000m in a time of 13:10.93. This is the fastest 5000m run on BC soil.

2002

David Galvan of Mexico sets a new meet record in the 3000m –7:51.90 — just ahead of Martin Keino (Kenya).

Daniel Gachera (Kenya) runs 3:58.49 for the first sub four-minute mile run in Victoria since John Walker in 1972.

The Track Classic receives IAAF Area Permit status.

2001

Diane Cummings (Victoria) runs to an easy win in the 800m as a warm-up for her 5th place finish in 2001 IAAF World Championships.

Shane Niemi (Canada) runs the second fast 300m of the year — 32.43. Zach Whitmarsh (Victoria) outraces the Kenyans in final corner to win in 1:46.12 and sets a new meet record.